However, Mascherano may soon have a choice of destinations, after Inter Milan revealed they have made a £20 million bid for the midfielder.

The Italian champions’ sporting director Marco Branca was quoted by the Sun as saying: “I sent an offer to Liverpool by fax on Tuesday and am waiting for a reply from them.

“We’re not speaking to the player at the moment because we want to do this in the right way and make sure that Liverpool are happy.”

The Reds believe they have an agreement with new Inter boss Rafa Benitez preventing him taking any players from Anfield.

However, with Mascherano desperate to leave, they may be willing to do business with Inter if the Italian club are prepared to outbid Barcelona.

The Catalan club have had a bid of £12 million plus ex-Arsenal midfielder Alex Hleb rejected by Liverpool, but are said to be preparing an improved offer of £16.5 million plus Hleb and Uruguay defender Martin Caceres.